East Timor Seeks to Join Commonwealth Club to Counter China Threat
East Timor, one of the world’s newest and poorest countries, is set to push for membership of the Commonwealth, a move that is seen as a strategic attempt to counter the growing influence of China in the region. According to a report by The Times, President Ramos-Horta, a Nobel prizewinner, believes that joining the Commonwealth will provide his country with a voice in an important international forum, as well as bringing much-needed opportunities for study to Timorese students.
The move is seen as a significant development in the region, particularly given the current competition between China and the West for influence over small and developing nations in east Asia. As The Times reports, East Timor has expressed an interest in joining the Commonwealth before, but the idea has never been taken forward, partly due to limited bureaucratic resources within the country’s government. However, with the country’s recent admission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ramos-Horta believes that joining the Commonwealth will become a priority.
Ramos-Horta, 75, played down suggestions that East Timor would co-operate with China on military matters, although he did not rule out the possibility. As quoted by The Times, he said: “We already have a good relationship with so many of the Commonwealth members. When you are a small country, relatively poor and you want to attract visitors, you want to be visible on the international agenda. You want to be heard [and to] participate in as many forums as possible.”
If East Timor succeeds in its bid to join the Commonwealth, it would not be the first nation without historical or colonial links to Britain to do so. Mozambique, a former Portuguese colony, joined in 1995 on the recommendation of the late President Mandela of South Africa. Since then, the French-speaking African countries of Rwanda, Gabon and Togo have also become members.
The move is seen as a significant attempt by East Timor to diversify its international relationships and counter the growing influence of China in the region. As The Times reports, China’s rapidly growing military power and ambition is obvious in its construction of bases on disputed islets in the South China Sea, its claims to islands controlled by Japan and its determination to reunite with Taiwan, by force if necessary.
In a sign that western governments are taking notice of China’s growing influence in the region, Britain is set to open an embassy in Dili, East Timor’s capital. According to The Times, Commonwealth membership would represent another demonstration of western commitment to a poor and neglected country. As Ramos-Horta said: “The Commonwealth is already quite a big organisation as a result of the British Empire, where the sun never set. But I think they would welcome a willing country to join. They would embrace us, I think, out of sympathy. And I personally have a great admiration, affection for the British royal family. What an institution.”
The bid to join the Commonwealth is seen as a strategic move by East Timor to secure its place on the international stage and to counter the growing influence of China in the region. As The Times reports, Ramos-Horta won the Nobel peace prize in 1996 for his campaign in exile for Timorese independence from Indonesia, which was achieved in 2002 after a 24-year long war. His efforts to secure Commonwealth membership for East Timor are seen as a significant development in the region, with implications for the country’s future and the balance of power in east Asia.
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